2012 Chevrolet Volt vs 2012 Tesla Model S

2012 Chevrolet Volt

2012 Tesla Model S

Select style

5-Door HB

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Volt 5-Door HB	35	40	$37,579	$39,145

Select style

4-Door Sedan

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Model S 4-Door Sedan	N/A	N/A	N/A	$57,400
Model S 4-Door Sedan Performance	N/A	N/A	N/A	$92,400
Model S 4-Door Sedan Signature	N/A	N/A	N/A	$95,400
Model S 4-Door Sedan Signature Performance	N/A	N/A	N/A	$105,400

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$37,579

Coming Soon

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$39,145

$57,400

Monthly Payment Estimate

$652 / month

$957 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.4

Read Our Full Review

8.4

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2012 Chevrolet Volt is the plug-in electric car you drive as far as you want--if you can find one to buy.

The 2012 Tesla Model S sedan turns out to be a much better car than most expected; it just might meld sport-sedan driving, interior space, and comfort with zero-emission running in one revolutionary package.

TCC Likes

An electric car sans range anxiety
Feels like a regular car behind the wheel
Comfortable, stylish interior

Elegant design
Spacious interior, cargo capacity
Versatile hatchback design

TCC Dislikes

Exterior styling not to everyone's taste
Costly, even after various incentives
Takes premium fuel

Uncertain future of Tesla
Most controls via touchscreen display
Dubious 7-passenger claim

Fuel Economy

City

35 mpg

Coming Soon

Highway

40 mpg

Coming Soon

Vehicle

Number of Passenger Doors

EPA Classification

Compact Cars

Interior Dimensions

Second Shoulder Room (in)

53.9

55.0

Front Leg Room (in)

42.1

42.7

Passenger Volume (ft³)

90.0

94.0

Front Hip Room (in)

53.7

55.0

Second Leg Room (in)

34.1

35.4

Front Head Room (in)

37.8

38.8

Passenger Capacity

Second Hip Room (in)

51.2

54.7

Front Shoulder Room (in)

56.5

57.7

Second Head Room (in)

36.0

35.3

Exterior Dimensions

Height, Overall (in)

56.6

56.5

Track Width, Rear (in)

62.1

66.9

Wheelbase (in)

105.7

116.5

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

70.4

77.3

Track Width, Front (in)

61.2

65.4

Min Ground Clearance (in)

- TBD -

6.0

Length, Overall (in)

177.1

196.0

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

10.6

- TBD -

Brakes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.5 x - TBD -

14.4 x 1.1

Brake Type

Regenerative

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.8 x - TBD -

14.0 x 1.3

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

Four-Wheel

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

9.3

Steering

Steering Type

Electric Pwr

Electric Rack-&-Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

2.8

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

N/A

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

15.4

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

36.0

37.0

Tires

Spare Tire Size

Front Tire Order Code

5GN

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P215/55R17

245/45R19

Rear Tire Order Code

5GN

Front Tire Size

P215/55R17

245/45R19

Trailering

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3781

4647

Wheels

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 x 7.0

19 x - TBD -

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 x 7.0

19 x - TBD -

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

- TBD -

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

- TBD -

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Engine

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

- TBD -

362 @ 6000

Engine Type

Electric/Gas I4

Electric

Fuel System

Electronic Fuel Injection

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

- TBD -

325

Engine Order Code

LUU

Displacement

1.4L/85

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

EPA MPG Equivalent - Hwy

- TBD -

Estimated Battery Range (mi)

160 (Est)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA MPG Equivalent - City

- TBD -

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA MPG Equivalent - Combined

- TBD -

Transmission

Reverse Ratio (:1)

- TBD -

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Order Code

MKA

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

- TBD -

Drivetrain

Front wheel drive

Rear Wheel Drive

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

First Gear Ratio (:1)

9.73

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Type

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

Trans Description Cont. Again

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

Summary

Vehicle Name

Chevrolet Volt

Tesla Model S

Body Style

Hatchback

Sedan

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

N/A

Suspension Type - Front

MacPherson Strut

Double-Wishbone

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

w/Coil Springs

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

N/A

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

Suspension Type - Rear

Compound Crank

Multi-Link

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

5.0

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

- TBD -

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

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